Tube socket assembly

ABSTRACT

An improved tube socket assembly having controlled spark gaps incorporated therein and bifurcated spring-biased centrally cantilevered terminal pin contacts for improving the electrical contact between the terminal pins of a cathode-ray tube inserted therein and the terminal contacts, and the method of making same.

United States Patent Simovits et a1.

[is] 3,636,412 [451 Jan. 18,1972

1541 TUBE SOCKET ASSEMBLY [72] lnventors: Stephen S. Simovits, Woodn'dge; Christ J.

s, Ewes! iew. b t 91" [73] Assignee: American Plasticralt Company, Chicago,

Ill.

22 Filed: oa.2o,197o

211 Appl.No.: 82,418

[52] 0.8. CI ..3l7/61, 339/111 [51] Int. Cl. H02h 9/06 [58] FieldofSeai-ch ..339/l11;3l7/61 [56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 3,251,016 5/1966 7 Manetti et al.., 339/111 X Blumenberg et al ..339/1 1 l X De Vito ..339/l11 Pn'mary Examiner-James D. Trammell Att0rneyPetherbridge, O'Neill & Aubel [57] ABSTRACT An improved tube socket assembly having controlled spark gaps incorporated therein and bifurcated spring-biased centrally cantilevered terminal pin contacts for improving the electrical contact between the terminal pins of a cathode-ray tube inserted therein and the terminal contacts, and the method of making same.

30 Claims, 6 Drawing Figures I PATENTEnm 18 m2 SIEU2N3 FIGI FIGZ

ATTORNEYS.

TUBE SOCKET ASSEMBLY BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION corporates therein a preassembled mounting plate having precisely controlled spark gaps therein which are then positioned to be in spaced planar relationship with respect to the terminal pin contacts of the tube socket.

More specifically, this invention is directed to an improved tube socket assembly wherein the structure forming the spark gaps for the tube socket is preassembled in order to precisely control the size of the spark gap and in subsequent assembly to precisely control the positioning of the spark gap within the tube socket. In addition, this invention provides an improved tube socket assembly wherein the terminal pin contacts are in the form of a bifurcated spring-biased centraily cantilevered pin contact in order to achieve a double uniform electrical contact with each of the terminal pins of the cathode-ray tube or the like inserted therein.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Tube socket assemblies of the type disclosed herein are generally known in the art. For example the tube sockets are disclosed in US. Pat. Nos. 3,251,016 and 3,377,616, and 3,543,098, all assigned to the assignee of the present invention, describe various forms of tube socket assemblies for use in connection with cathode-ray tubes especially adapted for use in connection with television receivers. Generally, the prior art has attempted to continually improve upon such tube socket assemblies mainly with a view toward improving the ability to dissipate unwanted surges of high-voltage are energy which are generated within the cathode-ray tubes and the like present in the receiver. To this end, the prior art developed the concept of positioning spark gaps within the tube socket assembly whereby unwanted surges of electrical energy known as arcing phenomena wouldbe dissipated to ground rather than arcing between adjacent terminal pins ofthe 4 v cathodera y tube. hach of the aforementioned patents are,

generally directed to such improvements and have achieved a great modicum of success.

However, one of the difficulties which has remained has been the inability to accurately control each of the spark gaps in each tube socket assembly, especially when viewed in light of mass production control requirements. Hence, where the spark gap is formed by merely forming a conductor ring and positioning the ring in the tube socket in order to be closely adjacent to each of the terminal pin contacts within the socket, it has been found difficult to achieve uniform spark gaps in connection with each of the spark gaps in each of the sockets and in connection with each tube socket assembly as it is mass produced on an assembly line.

Another problem has been noted in connection with the contact achieved between the terminal pin of a cathode-ray tube or the like inserted in the socket and the terminal pin contact assembly in the socket. For example, in the past, when arcing would occur, the terminal pin cond to become carbonized or otherwise corroded thereby diminishing the electrical contact between the terminal pin and the terminal pin contact. The result of such carbonization or corrosion has been to diminish the efficient operation of the cathode-ray tube in use, and eventually cause breakdown of the whole tube socket assembly.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF INVENTION It is therefore one of the principal objects of this invention to provide an improved tube socket assembly which includes spark gaps uniformly formed therein for incorporation into a tube socket assembly and to achieve a uniform positioning of the spark gaps within a tube socket assembly in spaced planar relation with respect to the terminal pin contacts.

Another object of this invention is to provide a tube socket assembly of the type described above which further includes a plurality of bifurcated spring-biased centrally cantilevered terminal pin contacts in order to improve the electrical contact 5 between the terminal pin contact and the terminal pin of a cathode-ray tube or the like inserted therein.

Still another object of this invention is to provide a tube socket assembly for receiving cathode-ray tubes and the like which have a plurality of terminal pins thereon which comprises a dielectric body portion having a central opening disposed therein, a plurality of contact means disposed about the periphery of the central opening each of which contact means includes an inner end constructed for receiving the terminal pins of a cathode-ray tube and an outer end which includes electrical connection means extending therefrom and positioned in spaced planar relation with respect to the inner end of the contact means, and a conductor ring mounted in the dielectric body portion and positioned in the same plane as the electrical connection means in order to form spark gaps which are in spaced planar relation with respect to the terminal pin contacts.

A further object of this invention is to provide a tube socket assembly of the type set forth wherein the contact means includes an inner end which is formed into a bifurcated springbiased centrally cantilevered terminal pin contact and an outer end which includes electrical connection means disposed thereon and extending downwardly therefrom in order to be out of the plane of the plane of the terminal pin contact, each of the electrical connection means having a leg member extending outwardly therefrom, and a conductor ring mounted within the tube socketand positioned in horizontal alignment with respect to the leg member extending from the electrical connection means.

In connection with the foregoing object, it is a further object of this invention to provide a tube socket assembly of the type set forth wherein a central mounting plate is first provided and a conductor ring having a plurality of radially inwardly extending legs is mounted on the mounting plate, the spark gaps 0 being formed by removing a discrete portion of each of the legs thereby to establish a controlled gap between the conductor ring and the corresponding leg, the mounting plate then being suitable for incorporation in the tube socket assembly thereby to provide controlled spark gaps therein.

Another object of this invention is to provide a method of forming spark gaps between a terminal lead and a ground means in a tube socket assembly having a plurality of terminal pin contacts disposed therein for use in connection with a so cathode-ray tube and the like having a plurality of terminal pins thereon, including the steps of providing a mounting plate, providing a conductor ring formed of an electrically conductive metallic material having a plurality of legs extending radially inwardly therefrom, fixedly locating the conductor ring and the legs with respect to the mounting plate, providing means for removing a discrete portion of each of the legs at a point between the conductor ring and the inner ends of the legs, removing a discrete controlled portion of each of the legs at a point between the conductor ring and the inner ends of the legs, providing electrical connection means on the inner ends of each leg for connecting the inner ends of each leg to an associated terminal pin contact, and assembling the mounting plate having the uniform and controlled spark gaps between the conductor ring and the legs in the tube socket assembly and connecting the inner ends of the legs to the terminal pin contacts whereby uniform spark gaps are formed between the conductor ring and the terminal pin contacts in the tube socket assembly.

Yet another object of this invention is to provide an improved tube socket assembly of the type set forth above, therein a preassembled mounting plate structure having the voltage arc chamber within the tube socket assembly for the high-voltage terminal pin contact, which high-voltage arc chamber is segregated from the remaining interior portion of the tube socket by means of a barrier wall and wherein a controlled and uniformly spaced spark gap is maintained by means of cooperating pairs of bosses which are positioned within the high-voltage arc chamber in order to stabilize the positive lead and ground lead during high-voltage surges of electrical energy. 7

Still another object of this invention is to provide a tube socket assembly of the type set forth hcreinabove, wherein there is provided a plurality of elongated barrier walls mounted on the central mounting plate and positioned between adjacent terminal pin contacts whereby arcing between adjacent terminal pin contacts is greatly minimized.

Further features of the invention pertain to the particular arrangement of the parts and the steps of the method whereby the above-outlined and additional operating features thereof are attained.

The invention, both as to its organization and method of operation, together with further objects and advantages thereof, will best be understood by reference to the following specification taken in connection with the accompanying drawings in which:

FIG. I is an exploded perspective view of the tube socket assembly including the cover plate, terminal pin contact assembly, central mounting plate, conductor ring with legs attached, and baseplate;

FIG. 2 is a top plan partially cutaway view showing the highvoltage are chamber and the spark gap assembly contained therein;

FIG. 3 is a side cross-sectional view showing the assembly of the high-voltage arc chamber and the bosses holding the ground lead and high-voltage terminal lead in place taken in the direction of the arrows along the line 3--3 in FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 is a top plan partially cutaway view showing the arrangement of the spark gap with respect to the terminal pin contact assembly including a resistor connected thereto;

FIG. 5 is a side cross-sectional view taken in the direction of the arrows along the line 5-5 in FIG. 4; and

FIG. 6 is a side cross-section view taken in the direction of the arrows along the line 66 in FIG; 4.

Referring more particularly to the embodiment shown in FIG. 1 of the drawings, the tube socket assembly is generally referred to be the numeral 10. The tube socket assembly 10 is shown to consist of a cover plate 11 having a short depending peripheral flange 12 extending around the periphery of the cover plate 11. The cover plate 11 includes a central opening 13 disposed therethrough and a series of positioning holes 14 circumferentially spaced around the cover plate 11 between the central opening 13 and the outer periphery thereof. The positioning holes 14 are for a purpose which will be described hereinafter. The cover plate 11 also includes a series of latches 15 which extend downwardly from the upper surface of the cover plate 11 and are coextensive therewith. In the embodiment shown in FIG. 1 of the drawings, there is shown a series of three of such latches 15, however, it is to be understood that more or less of such latches may be utilized.

The cover plate 11 further includes a plurality of upper barrier walls 16 which depend downwardly from the under surface of the cover plate 11 in circumferential arrangement about the periphery of the central opening 13, the upper barrier walls 16 being constructed for a purpose to be described hereinafter. There is also provided a series of wire positioning notches 17 disposed circumferentially in the peripheral flange 12 for a purpose to be more fully described hereinafter. Finally, the cover plate 11 includes a vent hole 18 which is positioned therein in order to overlie the high-voltage arc chamber, as will be more fully described hereinafter.

The tube socket assembly 10 further includes a plurality of contact means generally referred to by the numeral 20. Each contact means 20 includes an inner end 21 which terminates in a bifurcated spring-biased and centrally cantilevered pin contact 22, a central support section 23 and an outer end 24.

A slotted barrel 25 is shown to depend from the under surface of the central support section 23 which functions for-a purpose to be described hereinafter. Extending from the outer end 24 of the contact 20 is a lead wire 26 which connects to a resistor 27, the resistor 27 being in turn connected to an appropriate circuit wire 28 which is ultimately connected within the television receiver or other appropriate device.

The tube socket assembly 10 further includes a central mounting plate generally referred to by the numeral 30, which includes a peripheral skirt 31 extending around the periphery thereof. The skirt 31 is shown to include a plurality of U- shaped notches 32 circumferentially spaced about the skirt 31. The outer surface of the peripheral skirt 31 further includes a positioning lug 33 extending laterally outwardly therefrom. The central mounting plate 30 similarly includes a central opening 35 which corresponds with the central opening 13 in the cover plate 11, and a series of smaller openings 36 which are circumferentially spaced about the periphery of the central opening 35 and have a diameter slightly greater than the diameter of the slotted barrels 25 extending downwardly from the contact means 20. A series of elongated barrier walls 37 are provided circumferentially spaced about the periphery of the central opening 35 and interposed between adjacent smaller openings 36, the elongated barrier walls 37 corresponding with the upper barrier walls 16 disposed on the under surface of the cover plate 1 l.

The central mounting plate 30 further includes a series of circular cutouts 38 disposed therethrough and circumferentially spaced thereabout, the circular cutouts 38 being positioned between the smaller openings 36 and the outer periphery of the central mounting plate 30. A series of pairs of guide posts 39 are provided extending upwardly from the surface of the central mounting plate 30 and circumferentially spaced thereabout, each pair of guide posts 39 being in radial alignment with a corresponding U-shaped notch 32 in the peripheral skirt 31 of the central mounting plate 30. A series of second positioning holes 40 are provided in the central mounting plate 30 and positioned inwardly from and adjacent to the outer periphery of the central mounting plate 30. The second positioning holes 40 are arranged to be in vertical alignment with the first positioning holes 14 disposed in the cover plate 1 1 when the respective parts are assembled.

The central mounting plate 30 is provided with at least four structural ribs 41 which extend radially from the central opening 35 outwardly to the outer periphery thereof, each structural rib 41 extending upwardly from the upper surface of the central mounting plate 30 for a distance equal to the height of the peripheral skirt 31. Formed integrally with the central mounting plate 30 is an elliptical barrier wall 42 which extends upwardly from the upper surface of the central mounting plate 30 for a distance equal to the height of the peripheral skirt 31 and the height of the structural ribs 41. The elliptical barrier wall 42 functions to provide a high-voltage arc chamber in a manner to be described hereinafter.

Continuing with the explanation of the exploded view of FIG. 1, there is shown a conductor ring generally indicated by the numeral 45, formed of an electrically conductive metallic material. The conductor ring 45 generally includes an outer ring 46 terminating in a ground contact lead 47 extending outwardly from the outer periphery of the outer ring 46, the ground lead 47 having a contact hole 47A disposed therein. A plurality of leg members 48 are provided extending radially inwardly from the outer ring 46, each of the leg members 48 having a restricted portion 49 at the point of juncture of the leg member 48 to the outer ring 46. Each leg member 48 includes an offset head 50 for a purpose to be described hereinafter.

It will be seen that the outer ring 46 includes a plurality of first mounting holes 51 disposed therethrough and circumferentially spaced thereabout. Similarly, each of the leg members 48 are provided with a second mounting hole 52 disposed therethrough and positioned at a point between the restriction 49 and the offset head 50. Each of the offset heads 50 of the leg members 48 includes a contact hole 53 disposed therethrough which functions for a purpose to be described hereinafter.

As is shown in FIG. l, the conductor ring 45 terminates in a V-shaped arm 55, the inner end 56 of the arm 55 extending radially inwardly therefrom. The juncture 57 of the arm 55 with the outer ring 46 is shown to consist of a straight section which, after being mounted in the manner to be described hereinafter, is punched or cut away in the area indicated by the phantom lines 58. The arm 55 includes a first mounting hole 59 adjacent the outer edge thereof, a contact hole 60 adjacent the inner end thereof, and a second mounting hole 61 positioned between the first mounting hole 59 and the contact hole 60.

Finally, the tube socket assembly includes a baseplate generally indicated by the numeral 65, which includes a bottom wall 66 and an upwardly extending peripheral skirt 67. The peripheral skirt 67 is shown to include a positioning notch 68 disposed therein which, in assembled form, mates with the positioning lug 33 on the peripheral skirt 31 of the central mounting plate 30. The baseplate 65 includes a structural curb 69 extending upwardly from the bottom wall 66 and arranged peripherally around the interior of the baseplate 65. A series of six positioning rods 70 extend upwardly from the structural curb 69, each of the positioning rods 70 constructed to mate with and extend through the second positioning holes 40 disposed in the central mounting plate 30 and the first positioning holes 14 disposed in the cover plate 1.1. Positioned in the center of the baseplate 65 and extending upwardly from the bottom wall 66 thereof is a wall 71 having a plurality of U- shaped notches 72 disposed therein. The notches 72 result in a plurality of ribs 73 which, in assembled form, mate with the elongated barrier walls 37 disposed on the central mounting plate 30 and the upper barrier walls 16 disposed in the cover plate 11. The bottom wall 66 of the baseplate 65 is shown to further include a pair of bosses 74 extending upwardly therefrom and, in assembled form, the bosses 74 are arranged to be fitted within the elliptical barrier wall 42 disposed in the central mounting plate 30. The cover plate 11 similarly includes a pair of bosses 75 (see FIG. 3) which depend from the under surface of the cover plate 11 and, in assembled form, are arranged to be in vertical alignment with the bosses 74.

Finally, the baseplate 65 includes a shouldered flange 75 extending outwardly from the outer periphery of the peripheral skirt 67 thereof, which is constructed in order to mate with a corresponding latch 15 disposed on the cover plate 11. Hence, for each latch 15 on the cover plate 11, there is a corresponding shouldered flange 75 on the baseplate 65.

In FIG. 2 of the drawings, the arrangement of the baseplate 65, central mounting plate 30 and cover plate 11 is shown, with particular emphasis on the arrangement of the high-voltage are chamber. As assembled, it will be seen that the baseplate bosses 74 are positioned to lie below the ground ring extension 57A and the high-voltage terminal contact 57B respectively, and within the elliptical barrier wall 42. The elliptical barrier wall 42 thereby forms a high-voltage arc chamber, for containing and isolating any high-voltage electrical energy which occurs as a result of any arcing attributable to the high-voltage terminal contact.

The relationship between the respective parts of the cover plate 11, central mounting plate 30 and the baseplate 65 is more clearly shown in FIG. 3 of the drawings. With reference to FIG. 3, it will be seen that the baseplate bosses 74 cooperate with the cover plate bosses 75 extending downwardly from the under surface of the cover plate 11 in order to securely hold the ground ring 57A and the high-voltage terminal contact 5713 in place. The function of the elliptical barrier wall 42 and the bosses 74, 75 will be more clearly described hereinafter.

In the manufacture of a tube socket assembly as disclosed herein, the conductor ring 45 including the outer ring 46 and the leg members 48 is first mounted to the under surface of the central mounting plate 30. The central mounting plate 30 is provided with a plurality of mounting lugs 77 (see FIGS. 4 and 5) extending downwardly therefrom which are constructed in order to mate with the mounting holes 51, 52, 59 and 61 in the outer ring 46, leg member 48, and V-shaped arm 55 respectively. Preferably, the under surface of the central mounting plate 30 is appropriately channeled in order to accommodate the outer ring 46 and leg members 48 therein in nesting relation with the central mounting plate 30. Once the conductor ring 45 has been accurately positioned on the corresponding mounting lugs 77, the outer edges of the mounting lugs 77 are heat crimped in order to form rivet heads 78 (see FIG. 5) thereby to securely mount the conductor ring 45 and leg members 48 to the under surface of the central mounting plate 30. In this position, the area surrounding the restriction 49 between each leg member 48 and the outer ring 46, is surrounded and encompassed by a corresponding circular cutout 38 disposed in the central mounting plate 30. In addition, the juncture portion 57 of the conductor ring 46 is positioned within the elliptical barrier wall 42.

Next, the central mounting plate 30 having the conductor ring 45 including the outer ring 46 and leg members 48 is placed in a stamping machine or other suitable apparatus, and discrete portions of the leg members 48 and the V-shaped arm 55 are stamped or cut out. In the particular embodiment described herein, the cutout is effected at the restriction 49 where the leg member 48 is joined to the outer ring 46, and in the area of the phantom lines 58 thereby to form precisely controlled spark gaps as between each leg member 48 and the outer ring 46, as well as between the ground ring extension 57A and the high-voltage terminal contact 57B. Each of the spark gaps between the outer ring 46 and the leg members 48 is surrounded and encompassed by a circular cutout 38 and the spark gap established between the ground ring extension 57A and the high-voltage terminal contact 578 is surrounded and encompassed by the elliptical barrier wall 42. This structure can be seen in FIGS. 3, 4 and 5 of the drawings. The central mounting plate 30 having the conductor ring 46 and the leg members 48 mounted on the underside thereof is in the form of a preassembled spark gap disc wherein spark gaps of a uniformly controlled dimensions are achieved.

The contact means 20 are then mounted on the upper surface of the central mounting plate 30, each of the contact means including the bifurcated pin contact 22, slotted barrel 25, terminal lead wire 26, resistor 27, and circuit wire 28 as a preassembled unit. The contact 20 is mounted on the central mounting plate 30 by inserting each contact 20 with the bifurcated pin contact 22 positioned between adjacent elongated barrier walls 37 on the central mounting plate 30, the bifurcated pin contact 22 extending over the periphery of the central opening 35 is the central mounting plate 30. As the contact 20 is inserted into position, the slotted barrel 25 is inserted through a corresponding small opening 36 and also through the contact hole 53 disposed in the leg member 48, which is positioned in vertical alignment with the smaller opening 36 in the central mounting plate 30.

After each of the contacts 20 has been inserted on the upper surface of the central mounting plate 30 in the manner indicated hereinabove, each of the slotted barrels 25 are then crimped back in order to be securely fastened to an associated offset head 50 through the contact hole 53 thereof. In this position, each of the resistors 27 will lie in a plane parallel to the plane of the central mounting plate 30 and will lie between adjacent circular cutouts 38 and also between an associated pair of guide posts 39. The circuit wire 28 then extends outwardly from the tube socket assembly 10 through an associated U-shaped notch 32 provided along the outer periphery of the central mounting plate 30 and the U-shaped notches 17 provided in the peripheral flange 12 of the cover plate ll.

The central mounting plate 30 is then mounted on the baseplate 65 by inserting the positioning rods 70 through the second :positioning holes 40 disposed through the central mounting plate 30 and by aligning the positioning lug 33 in the positioning notch 68. Due to the positioning rods 70 and the positioning holes 40, the central mounting plate 30 will be accurately positioned within the tube socket 10 whereby the spaced planar relationship between the various spark gaps and the associated bifurcated pin contacts 22 is automatically established. Furthermore, the central mounting plate 30 includes uniformly controlled spark gaps therein since this structure was previously formed as a preassembled unit as described above.

The assembly of the tube socket assembly 10 is completed by placing the cover plate 11 in position by inserting the positioning rods 70 through the'frrst positioning holes 14 disposed therethrough. Preferably, the positioning rods 70, second positioning holes 40 and first positioning holes 14 are so arranged so that the cover plate 11 may be placed or positioned over the assembly in only one predetermined manner to automatically key the cover plate 11 to the remaining assembly. The positioning rods 70 are of sufiicient length in order to extend slightly above the cover plate 11 when the cover plate is snugly secured over the assembly. If desired, the assembly may be securely fastened by heat crimping the upper edges of the positioning rods 70 in order to form rivet heads 80 as shown in phantom in FIGS. and 6. However, the assembly may be disengageably locked due to the mating relationship between the latches l5 and the shouldered flanges 75. That is, as the cover plate 11 is secured into position whereby the positioning rods 70 mate with the positioning holes 14, the latches 15 will be slid over and lock over the corresponding shouldered flanges 75 thereby providing an efficient disengageable lock mechanism. When the cover plate 11 is positioned and locked into place, it will be observed that the vent hole 18 is positioned directly above the high-voltage arc chamber formed by the elliptical barrier wall 42, thereby functioning to vent the gases which are formed within the high-voltage arc chamber during any arcing phenomenon which does occur.

The tube socket assembly as described in detail hereinabove provides several important advantages over prior art tube socket assemblies. One important feature of the invention resides in the method of forming uniformly controlled spark gaps for incorporation into the tube socket assembly 10. In accordance with this invention, rather than providing a conductor ring having merely a plurality of finger members or small extensions extending radially inwardly therefrom which lie closely adjacent to a terminal pin contact or some portion thereof, a preassembled mounting plate is provided wherein the conductor ring having a plurality of inwardly extending legs is first mounted on the central mounting plate, after which the desired gap may be stamped or otherwise cut at a point between the ring and each of the inwardly extending legs. In this manner, not only is uniformity established with respect to each spark gap within a particular tube socket assembly, but, the same degree of uniformity is established with respect to every tube socket assembly which is produced in assembly line fashion. Hence, a method of forming spark gaps in a tube socket assembly is provided hereby which results in a great improvement in the efficient operation of the tube socket assembly in use.

In addition to the above advantages, the tube socket as sembly as described herein provides spark gaps within the tube socket assembly which are spaced both horizontally and vertically from the area of the terminal pin contacts. Hence, when arcing phenomena do occur, the possibility of arcing between adjacent terminal pins is further diminished over prior art devices, and these over voltages of electrical energy are contained within the arc chambers provided for each spark gap thereby enhancing the protection of the cathode-ray tube and associated circuitry in the television chassis or other device. In addition, as a result of the method of forming the spark gaps in accordance with the present invention, a central mounting plate is provided with a series of circular cutout sections 38 which are constructed to overlie the area of the spark gap, These circular cutout sections thereby form uniform field arc chambers for each of the spark gaps, whereby the are energy is being uniformly stressed in the area of spark gap.

The isolation of the terminal pin contact, in this case consisting of the bifurcated pin contact 22, is further enhanced by means of the upper barrier walls 16 disposed on the under surface of the cover plate 11, the elongated barrier walls 37 extending upwardly from the central mounting plate 30 and the ribs 73 formed in the upstanding wall 71 of the baseplate 65. When the baseplate 65, central mounting plate 30 and the cover plate 11 are joined together in the final assembly, an elongated chamber is formed whereby each of the bifurcated pin contacts 22 and the associated terminal pin is isolated, one from the other. Hence, the fact that the bifurcated pin contact 22 and associated contact structure is isolated, as well as the fact that each of the spark gaps is spaced both vertically and horizontally from the area of the bifurcated pin contact 22, and further, that each of the spark gaps is surrounded by a uniform field arc chamber in the form of circular cutout 38, in the event of any arcing phenomenon, the are energy is quickly and efficiently dissipated through the conductor ring to ground, while at the same time greatly minimizing any possibility of arcing as between adjacent bifurcated pin contacts 22.

Another important feature provided by the present invention is the bifurcated pin contact 22 which functions as a terminal pin contact. Each bifurcated pin contact 22 is formed of an electrically conductive metallic material and is in the form of a spring-biased and centrally cantilevered structure. As a result of such structure, when a terminal pin of a cathode-ray tube is inserted between the respective edges of a bifurcated pin contact 22, each of the inner edges of the bifurcated pin contact 22 provide a low-ohmic electrical contact with the terminal pin along two tangential lines on the terminal pin. In addition, since the bifurcated pin contact 22 is spring-biased and centrally cantilevered, the edges of the bifurcated pin contact 22 will bite into the terminal pin to effect a continuing lowohmic electrical contact with the terminal pin. This structure also provides good shock, thermal, and vibrational characteristics as well as improving the electrical contact as between the bifurcated pin contact 22 and the tenninal pin inserted therein. Hence, each of the contacts when engaged with a corresponding terminal pin has several advantageous characteristics including the provision of a bidirectional pivot point adjacent the base of the contact in order to afford movement of the contact as the pin-bearing device e.g., cathode-ray tube, is inserted into the socket; there is a spring action and cantilever effect in the direction of the engagement of the pin contact 22 with the terminal pin; and since the contact is bifurcated, there is a spring action affect urging the respective members of the bifurcated contact toward the terminal pin. That is, the members of the bifurcated pin contact 22 are normally urged toward one another and when a terminal pin is inserted therebetween, the terminal pin tends to spread the respective members apart so that the effect is that the members are continually urged toward one another and a lowohmic contact is established with respect to the terminal pin along two distinct tangential lines. Finally, within the normal maximum operating limits of the cathode-ray tube temperature, energy atmosphere and temperature environment, the contact configuration is such that it provides the minimal contact service that is required to keep the contact resistance down to an acceptable level.

Another feature of the present invention is the provision of a complete contact assembly which includes not only the bifurcated pin contact 22, but also includes the slotted barrel structure 25 which extends downwardly from the central support section 23 of the contact 20. The slotted barrel structure 25 cooperates with the small opening 36 provided in the central mounting plate 30 in order to effect a planar separation of the spark gap from the area of the terminal pin contact. As was described hereinabove, the slotted barrel 25 is inserted through the small opening 36 and the contact hole 53 in the leg member 48 and staked around the contact hole 53 in order to effect electrical contact therewith. After the spark gap has been formed in the manner indicated above, it will be noted that the spark gaps occur between the outer ring 46 and the outer edge of the leg member 48 whereby the spark gap is spaced both horizontally and vertically from the area of the bifurcated pin contact 22. Hence, the construction of the contact assembly including the bifurcated pin contact 22 and the slotted barrel 25 facilitates the mass production of such tube socket assemblies.

Yet another feature of the invention is the incorporation of discrete arc chambers in the form of circular cutouts 38 which correspond with the spark gaps thereby providing a uniform field arc chambers. The cover plate 11, central mounting plate 30, and the baseplate 65 are made from any thermosetting or thermoplastic materials such, as for example, polyethylene or other material capable of withstanding carbonization or tracking during arcing activity and having the requisite shaperetaining characteristics and dielectric properties such as ceramic, Bakelite and the like. Since such plastic has a certain dielectric constant greater than air, this dielectric constant causes the arc chamber to become a part of the arc circuit whereby the circular arc chamber structure causes or tends to make the arc plasma more uniform at the point of juncture. The same characteristics apply with respect to the high-voltage arc chamber 42, inasmuch as this are chamber is formed integrally with the central mounting plate 30, and of the same plastic material. It is to be understood that the high-voltage arc chamber, as well as the spark gap arc chambers may be formed integrally with the baseplate or cover plate, or formed separately depending upon the particular design characteristics of the tube socket.

Another feature provided by this invention consists of an arc chamber provided for the high-voltage terminal pin of the cathode-ray tube and the spark gap structure provided therein, as previously described. The high-voltage arc chamber is formed by means of the elliptical barrier wall 42 as shown in FIG. 1 of the drawings. The elliptical barrier wall 42 is formed as an integral part of the central mounting plate during the molding operation hereof in the particular embodiment set forth herein. As was previously described in connection with the formation of the conductor ring 45 and the V shaped arm 55, the outer ring 46 of the conductor ring 45 terminates in a ground ring extension 57A and, after the cutting operation, the V-shaped arm 55 terminates in a high voltage terminal contact extension 578 which, when positioned on the under surface of the central mounting plate 30 is located within the elliptical barrier wall 42 as shown in FIG. 2 of the drawings. The cutout portion at the juncture 57 represented by the phantom lines 58 (FIG. 1 of the drawings) results in the spark gap for the high-voltage terminal pin. The cover plate 11 is provided with a pair of upper bosses 75 and the baseplate 65 is provided with a pair of lower bosses 74 which, when assembled, cooperate to retain the ground ring extension 57A and the high-voltage contact extension 578 therebetween, as is more clearly shown in FIG. 3 of the drawings. The reason for the provision of the bosses 74, 75 is that when arcover ranges of, for example, 1 to 6 kv. are used, the ground ring extension 57A and the high voltage contact extension 573, both being relatively long in length, would tend to vibrate thereby disrupting the spark gap during an arcing phenomenon. Hence, the bosses 74, 75 are copositioned with respect to each other and have sufficient spacing therebetween when the cover plate 11 and baseplate 65 are assembled and snapped in place such that there is sufficient pressure as between the respective pairs of bosses 74 and 75 to securely hold the ground ring extension 57A and high-voltage contact extension 57B securely in place.

In accordance with the above description, it will be seen that the objects and advantages set forth hereinabove have been provided by virtue of the present invention. MOre specifically, there is described herein an improved tube socket assembly for use in connection with cathode-ray tubes and the like which includes therein uniformly controlled spark gap assemblies which are spaced both vertically and horizontally from the associated terminal pin contacts in the socket, as well as improved terminal pin contact assemblies in the form of bifurcated spring-bias centrally cantilevered contacts which greatly improve the performance and reliability of such tube socket assemblies. in addition, the invention described herein provides uniform field arc chambers for each of the spark gaps, as well as a separate and isolated high-voltage arc chamber for use in connection with the high-voltage terminal contact. Finally, there has been provided a novel method of forming spark gaps as a preassembled structure for subsequent incorporation into a tube socket assembly thereby to result in consistently uniform and reproducable spark gap assemblies, especially when viewed in terms of mass production methods of manufacturing.

While there has been described what is at present considered to be the preferred embodiment of the invention, it will be understood that various modifications may be made therein and it is intended to cover in the appended claims all such modifications as fall within the true spirit and scope of the invention.

What we claim is:

1. A tube socket assembly for receiving cathode-ray tubes and the like having a plurality of terminal pins comprising a dielectric body portion having a central opening disposed therein, a plurality of contact means disposed about the periphery of said central opening in said body portion, each of said contact means terminating in an inner end constructed for receiving the terminal pins of a cathode-ray tube inserted therein and an outer end, each of said contact means further having electrical connection means extending therefrom adjacent the outer end thereof and positioned in a plane transverse with respect to the plane of the inner end of said contact means, and a conductor ring mounted within said dielectric body portion and positioned in the same plane as said electrical connection means thereby to form spark gaps between said conductor ring and said electrical connection means, said spark gaps being spaced horizontally and vertically from said inner ends of said contact means and the terminal pins of a cathode-ray tube inserted therein.

2. The tube socket assembly as set forth in claim 1 above, which further includes a plurality of resistors mounted within said dielectric body portion, each resistor being connected to an associated outer end of said contact means.

3. The tube socket assembly as set forth in claim 1 above, wherein each of said electrical connection means comprises leg members extending from and electrically connected to said outer end of said contact means, each of said leg members extending toward said conductor ring thereby to establish a controlled spark gap spaced horizontally and vertically from said inner end of said contact means and the terminal pin inserted therein.

4. The tube socket assembly as set forth in claim 1, wherein said tube socket assembly includes a high-voltage terminal contact and said dielectric body portion includes a high-voltage arc chamber formed therein and positioned proximate to the high-voltage terminal contact, whereby any high-voltage are energy which results from the overvoltage operation of said high-voltage terminal contact is contained within said high-voltage arc chamber and is thereby prevented from being dissipated into the tube socket assembly.

5. A tube socket assembly for receiving cathode-ray tubes and the like comprising a baseplate, a central mounting plate mounted on said baseplate, said central mounting plate having a central opening disposed therethrough and a plurality of smaller openings disposed therethrough and positioned cir-- cumferentially about the outer periphery of said central opening, a plurality of resistors carried on said central mounting plate, a plurality of contact means mounted on said central mounting plate about the periphery of said central opening thereof, each of said contact means including an inner end terminating in a bifurcated terminal contact and an outer end connected to an associated resistor, each of said contact means further including electrical connection means disposed between said inner end and said outer end thereof and extending downwardly through an associated smaller opening disposed about said central opening in said central mounting plate, a conductor ring mounted on said central mounting plate and having a plurality of leg members extending radially inwardly therefrom toward said central opening in said central mounting plate, each of said leg members having a cutout section at the point of juncture of said leg members with said conductor ring thereby to form spark gaps as between said leg members and said ground ring, the inner ends of each of said leg members being connected to a corresponding end of each of said electrical connection means thereby to make electrical contact therebetween, a cover plate disposed above and covering said central mounting plate, said cover plate having a central opening therein corresponding to said central opening in said central mounting plate to accommodate the insertion therethrough of a cathode-ray tube having terminal pins thereon, whereby the terminal pins of a cathode-ray tube may be inserted through said central opening in said cover plate and said central opening in said mounting plate thereby to contact respective ones of said bifurcated terminal contacts to achieve electrical contact.

6. The tube socket assembly as set forth in claim 5, wherein each of said electrical connection means comprises a slotted barrel extending downwardly from the outer end of said contact means through an associated smaller openings disposed about the central opening and having a leg member extending laterally outwardly therefrom whereby a spark gap is obtained between the outer edge of said leg member and said conductor ring.

7. The tube socket assembly as set forth in claim 6 above, wherein said conductor ring and said leg member are mounted on one surface of said central mounting plate and said contact means and said resistor assembly are mounted on the opposed surface of said central mounting plate whereby the spark gap formed between said leg member and said conductor ring is spaced both vertically and horizontally from said bifurcated terminal contact and the associated cathode-ray tube terminal pins disposed therein.

8. The tube socket assembly as set forth in claim 7, wherein said central mounting plate includes a plurality of uniform openings disposed therethrough and each of the spark gaps formed by an associated leg member and said conductor ring is positioned to be surrounded by one of said uniform openings thereby to form a uniform arc chamber about each of said spark gaps.

9. A tube socket assembly as set forth in claim 5, which further includes an elliptical barrier wall formed therein and said baseplate and said cover each have a pair of bosses formed therein which, when assembled, are fitted within said elliptical barrier wall and cooperate to firmly hold an extension of said conductor ring between two of the associated bosses and a leg member extending from the high-voltage terminal between the other two associated bosses thereby to form an arc gap therebetween whereby a high-voltage arc chamber is provided for the high-voltage terminal pin for containing any high-voltage arc energy which results from the overvoltage operation of the high-voltage tenninal cathoderay pin and to prevent such high-voltage are energy from being dissipated into the tube socket assembly.

10. The tube socket assembly as set forth in claim 5, which further includes a plurality of elongated barrier walls mounted on said central mounting plate around the periphery of said central opening disposed therein and positioned between adjacent ones of the smaller openings disposed therein, whereby each of said contact means is mounted on said central mounting plate between adjacent elongated barrier walls.

11. The tube socket assembly as set forth in claim 5, wherein said cover plate further includes at least one latch extending from the outer periphery thereof and said baseplate includes a flanged shoulder extending outwardly from the outer periphery thereof, whereby said latch and said shoulder flange cooperate to form a disengageable locking assembly for disengageably locking said cover plate to said baseplate.

12. A tube socket assembly as set forth in claim 5, wherein said bifurcated contact is elongated along an axis transverse with respect to the axis of the plane of the central mounting plate.

13. The tube socket assembly as set forth in claim 12, wherein said bifurcated contact is centrally cantilevered thereby to impose a constant pressure against the terminal pin inserted therein in an axis transverse to the axis to the terminal pin and to achieve uniform electrical contact between the inner edges of the bifurcated contact and the terminal pin.

14. A tube socket assembly for receiving cathode-ray tubes and the like comprising a baseplate having a plurality of first positioning means mounted thereon, a central mounting plate mounted on said baseplate and having a plurality of wire guide means positioned along the outer periphery thereof, said central mounting plate further including a plurality of second positioning means for engagement with said first positioning means disposed on said baseplate, said central mounting plate having an opening centrally disposed therethrough and further having a plurality of smaller openings radially disposed about the periphery of said central opening therein, a plurality of resistors carried on said central mounting plate, a plurality of contact means mounted on said central mounting plate about the periphery of said central opening, each of said contact means including an inner end terminating in a bifurcated spring-biased terminal contact and an outer end connected to an associated resistor, each of said contact means further including a slotted barrel mounted thereon between said inner end and said outer end thereof and extending downwardly through an associated smaller opening in said central mounting plate, a leg member electrically connected to said slotted barrel and extending in a direction away from said central opening in said central mounting plate and toward the outer periphery of said central mounting plate, a conductor ring mounted on said central mounting plate positioned proximately adjacent to the outer edges of said leg members thereby to form spark gaps between said conductor ring and the outer edges of said leg members, said bifurcated spring-biased terminal contacts and said resistors being carried by one surface of said central mounting plate and said conductor ring of said leg members being carried by the opposed surface of said central mounting plate whereby the spark gaps are spaced both vertically and horizontally away from said bifurcated springbiased terminal contact, a cover plate disposed above and covering said central mounting plate, said cover plate having a central opening therein corresponding with said central opening in said central mounting plate to accommodate the insertion therethrough of a cathode-ray tube having terminal pins thereon, whereby the terminal pins of the cathode-ray tube may be inserted through said central opening in said cover plate and said central opening in said central mounting plate, each terminal pin of the cathode-ray tube being inserted and held between an associated bifurcated spring-biased terminal contact to provide two distinct linear electrical contacts between a terminal pin and the associated bifurcated springbiased terminal contact.

15. [n a method of forming spark gaps between a terminal lead and a ground means in a tube socket assembly having a plurality of terminal pin contacts disposed therein, the improvement comprising the steps of, providing a mounting plate, providing a conductor ring fonned of an electrically conductive metallic material and having a plurality of legs extending radially inwardly therefrom, fixedly locating said conductor ring and said legs with respect to said mounting plate, providing means for removing a discrete controlled portion of each of said legs at a point between said conductor ring and the inner ends of each of said legs, removing a discrete controlled portion of each of said legs at a point between said conductor ring and the inner ends of said legs, providing electrical connection means on the inner ends of said legs for connecting the inner ends of said legs to associated terminal pin contacts, and assembling said mounting plate having said uniform and controlled spark gaps between said conductor ring and said legs in the tube socket assembly and connecting the inner ends of said legs to the terminal pin contacts, whereby uniform spark gaps may be formed between said conductor ring and said terminal contacts in tube socket assemblies for cathoderay tubes and the like.

16. The method of claim 15 wherein the step of removing a discrete controlled portion of each of said legs at a point between said conductor ring and the inner end of said legs comprises punching a precise portion of material from each said leg thereby forming a spark gap having a fixed spatial distance between adjacent punched edges of said leg.

17. The method of claim 15 wherein the step of removing a discrete controlled portion of each of said legs at a point between said conductor ring and the inner end of said legs comprises stamping a precise portion of material from each said leg thereby forming a spark gap having a fixed spatial distance between adjacent stamped edges of said leg.

18. The method of claim 15 wherein the step of removing a discrete controlled portion of each of said legs at a point between said conductor ring and the inner end of said legs comprises cutting a precise portion of material from each said leg thereby forming a spark gap having a fixed spatial distance between adjacent cut edges of said leg.

19. The method of claim 15 wherein said conductor ring formed of an electrically conductive metallic material and having a plurality of legs extending radially inwardly therefrom is fixed secured to said mounting plate prior to removing a discrete controlled portion of each of said legs.-

20. The method of claim 15 wherein the step of fixedly locating said conductor ring and said legs with respect to said mounting plate includes fixedly locating said ring and said legs such that each one of said plurality of legs is positioned within a uniform field arc chamber formed as openings in said mounting plate.

21. The apparatus of claim 1 further including a high-voltage chamber segregated from the remaining portion of said dielectric body portion by means of a barrier wall and having a controlled uniformly spaced spark gap for stabilizing a highvoltage lead during surges of electrical energy.

22. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said spark gaps are positioned within openings defined by said dielectric body portion such that the arc energy is uniformly stressed in the area of the spark gap.

23. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said spark gaps are each defined between a cutaway edge portion of said electrical connection means and a cutaway edge portion of said conductor ring thereby forming a fixed space between said out edge portions.

24. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said spark gaps are each defined between a punched edge portion of said electrical connection means and a punched edge portion of said conductor ring thereby forming a fixed space between said punched edge portions.

25. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said spark gaps are each defined between a stamped edge portion of said electrical connection means and a stamped edge portion of said conductor ring thereby forming a fixed space between said stamped edge portions.

26. The apparatus of claim 1 further including a cover plate having a depending peripheral flange extending about the periphery of said cover plate and a central opening disposed therethrough for protectively covering said spark gaps formed between said conductor ring and said electrical connection means.

27. The apparatus of claim 26 further including a baseplate for coupling to said cover plate forming an enclosed tube socket assembly confining said spark gaps therewithin.

28. The apparatus of claim 27 wherein said cover plate includes latch means for securing the cover plate to said baseplate.

29. The apparatus of claim 26 wherein said cover plate includes a vent hole defined therein to vent gases formed at one of said s ark gaps durin arcing thereacross.

30. e apparatus 0 claim 21 further including a cover plate having a dependingperipheral flange extending about the periphery of said cover plate and a central opening disposed therethrough for protectively covering said spark gaps formed between said conductor ring and said electrical connection means,

said cover plate having a vent hole defined therein and positionable adjacent said high-voltage chamber to vent gases formed within said chamber during any arcing phenomenon occurring therein.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE CERTIFICATE OF CORRECTION 3, 36,412 Dated January 18, 1972 Patent No.

Stephen S. Simovits et a1 Inventor(s) It is certified that error appears in the above-identified patent and that said Letters Patent are hereby correctedas shown below:

Column 1, line 59 should read arcing would occur, the terminal pin contacts would tend to Signed and sealed this 21st day of November 1972 (SEAL) Atteat:

EDWARD M.FLETCHER,JR. ROBERT GOTTSCHALK Attesting Officer Commissioner of Patents USCOMM-DC 603764 69 u.s. GOVERNMENT PRINTING OFFICE I969 o-ass-su,

FORM PC4050 (10-69) 

1. A tube socket assembly for receiving cathode-ray tubes and the like having a plurality of terminal pins comprising a dielectric body portion having a central opening disposed therein, a plurality of contact means disposed about the periphery of said central opening in said body portion, each of said contact means terminating in an inner end constructed for receiving the terminal pins of a cathode-ray tube inserted therein and an outer end, each of said contact means further having electrical connection means extending therefrom adjacent the outer end thereof and positioned in a plane transverse with respect to the plane of the inner end of said contact means, and a conductor ring mounted within said dielectric body portion and positioned in the same plane as said electrical connection means thereby to form spark gaps between said conductor ring and said electrical connection means, said spark gaps being spaced horizontally and vertically from said inner ends of said contact means and the terminal pins of a cathode-ray tube inserted therein.
 2. The tube socket assembly as set forth in claim 1 above, which further includes a plurality of resistors mounted within said dielectric body portion, each resistor being connected to an associated outer end of said contact means.
 3. The tube socket assembly as set forth in claim 1 above, wherein each of said electrical connection means comprises leg members extending from and electrically connected to said outer end of said contact means, each of said leg members extending toward said conductor ring thereby to establish a controlled spark gap spaced horizontally and vertically from said inner end of said contact means and the terminal pin inserted therein.
 4. The tube socket assembly as set forth in claim 1, wherein said tube socket assembly includes a high-voltage terminal contact and said dielectric body portion includes a high-voltage arc chamber formed therein and positioned proximate to the high-voltage terminal contact, whereby any high-voltage arc energy which results from the overvoltage operation of said high-voltage terminal contact is contained within said high-voltage arc chamber and is thereby prevented from being dissipated into the tube socket assembly.
 5. A tube socket assembly for receiving cathode-ray tubes and the like comprising a baseplate, a central mounting plate mounted on said baseplate, said central mounting plate having a central opening disposed therethrough and a plurality of smaller openings disposed therethrough and positioned circumferentially about the outer periphery of said central opening, a plurality of resistors carried on said central mounting plate, a plurality of contact means mounted on said central mounting plate about the periphery of said central opening thereof, each of said contact means including an inner end terminating in a bifurcated terminal contact and an outer end connected to an associated resistor, each of said contact means further including electrical connection means disposed between said inner end and said outer end thereof and extending downwardly through an associated smaller opening disposed about said central opening in said central mounting plate, a conductor ring mounted on said central mounting plate and having a plurality of leg members extending radially inwardly therefrom toward said central opening in said central mounting plate, each of said leg members having a cutout section at the point of juncture of said leg members with said conductor ring thereby to form spark gaps as between said leg members and said ground ring, the inner ends of each of said leg members being connected to a corresponding end of each of said electrical connection means thereby to make electrical contact therebetween, a cover plate disposed above and covering said central mounting plate, said cover plate having A central opening therein corresponding to said central opening in said central mounting plate to accommodate the insertion therethrough of a cathode-ray tube having terminal pins thereon, whereby the terminal pins of a cathode-ray tube may be inserted through said central opening in said cover plate and said central opening in said mounting plate thereby to contact respective ones of said bifurcated terminal contacts to achieve electrical contact.
 6. The tube socket assembly as set forth in claim 5, wherein each of said electrical connection means comprises a slotted barrel extending downwardly from the outer end of said contact means through an associated smaller openings disposed about the central opening and having a leg member extending laterally outwardly therefrom whereby a spark gap is obtained between the outer edge of said leg member and said conductor ring.
 7. The tube socket assembly as set forth in claim 6 above, wherein said conductor ring and said leg member are mounted on one surface of said central mounting plate and said contact means and said resistor assembly are mounted on the opposed surface of said central mounting plate whereby the spark gap formed between said leg member and said conductor ring is spaced both vertically and horizontally from said bifurcated terminal contact and the associated cathode-ray tube terminal pins disposed therein.
 8. The tube socket assembly as set forth in claim 7, wherein said central mounting plate includes a plurality of uniform openings disposed therethrough and each of the spark gaps formed by an associated leg member and said conductor ring is positioned to be surrounded by one of said uniform openings thereby to form a uniform arc chamber about each of said spark gaps.
 9. A tube socket assembly as set forth in claim 5, which further includes an elliptical barrier wall formed therein and said baseplate and said cover each have a pair of bosses formed therein which, when assembled, are fitted within said elliptical barrier wall and cooperate to firmly hold an extension of said conductor ring between two of the associated bosses and a leg member extending from the high-voltage terminal between the other two associated bosses thereby to form an arc gap therebetween whereby a high-voltage arc chamber is provided for the high-voltage terminal pin for containing any high-voltage arc energy which results from the overvoltage operation of the high-voltage terminal cathode-ray pin and to prevent such high-voltage arc energy from being dissipated into the tube socket assembly.
 10. The tube socket assembly as set forth in claim 5, which further includes a plurality of elongated barrier walls mounted on said central mounting plate around the periphery of said central opening disposed therein and positioned between adjacent ones of the smaller openings disposed therein, whereby each of said contact means is mounted on said central mounting plate between adjacent elongated barrier walls.
 11. The tube socket assembly as set forth in claim 5, wherein said cover plate further includes at least one latch extending from the outer periphery thereof and said baseplate includes a flanged shoulder extending outwardly from the outer periphery thereof, whereby said latch and said shoulder flange cooperate to form a disengageable locking assembly for disengageably locking said cover plate to said baseplate.
 12. A tube socket assembly as set forth in claim 5, wherein said bifurcated contact is elongated along an axis transverse with respect to the axis of the plane of the central mounting plate.
 13. The tube socket assembly as set forth in claim 12, wherein said bifurcated contact is centrally cantilevered thereby to impose a constant pressure against the terminal pin inserted therein in an axis transverse to the axis to the terminal pin and to achieve uniform electrical contact between the inner edges of the bifurcated contact and the terminal pin.
 14. A tube socket assembly for receiving cathode-ray tubes and the like comPrising a baseplate having a plurality of first positioning means mounted thereon, a central mounting plate mounted on said baseplate and having a plurality of wire guide means positioned along the outer periphery thereof, said central mounting plate further including a plurality of second positioning means for engagement with said first positioning means disposed on said baseplate, said central mounting plate having an opening centrally disposed therethrough and further having a plurality of smaller openings radially disposed about the periphery of said central opening therein, a plurality of resistors carried on said central mounting plate, a plurality of contact means mounted on said central mounting plate about the periphery of said central opening, each of said contact means including an inner end terminating in a bifurcated spring-biased terminal contact and an outer end connected to an associated resistor, each of said contact means further including a slotted barrel mounted thereon between said inner end and said outer end thereof and extending downwardly through an associated smaller opening in said central mounting plate, a leg member electrically connected to said slotted barrel and extending in a direction away from said central opening in said central mounting plate and toward the outer periphery of said central mounting plate, a conductor ring mounted on said central mounting plate positioned proximately adjacent to the outer edges of said leg members thereby to form spark gaps between said conductor ring and the outer edges of said leg members, said bifurcated spring-biased terminal contacts and said resistors being carried by one surface of said central mounting plate and said conductor ring of said leg members being carried by the opposed surface of said central mounting plate whereby the spark gaps are spaced both vertically and horizontally away from said bifurcated spring-biased terminal contact, a cover plate disposed above and covering said central mounting plate, said cover plate having a central opening therein corresponding with said central opening in said central mounting plate to accommodate the insertion therethrough of a cathode-ray tube having terminal pins thereon, whereby the terminal pins of the cathode-ray tube may be inserted through said central opening in said cover plate and said central opening in said central mounting plate, each terminal pin of the cathode-ray tube being inserted and held between an associated bifurcated spring-biased terminal contact to provide two distinct linear electrical contacts between a terminal pin and the associated bifurcated spring-biased terminal contact.
 15. In a method of forming spark gaps between a terminal lead and a ground means in a tube socket assembly having a plurality of terminal pin contacts disposed therein, the improvement comprising the steps of, providing a mounting plate, providing a conductor ring formed of an electrically conductive metallic material and having a plurality of legs extending radially inwardly therefrom, fixedly locating said conductor ring and said legs with respect to said mounting plate, providing means for removing a discrete controlled portion of each of said legs at a point between said conductor ring and the inner ends of each of said legs, removing a discrete controlled portion of each of said legs at a point between said conductor ring and the inner ends of said legs, providing electrical connection means on the inner ends of said legs for connecting the inner ends of said legs to associated terminal pin contacts, and assembling said mounting plate having said uniform and controlled spark gaps between said conductor ring and said legs in the tube socket assembly and connecting the inner ends of said legs to the terminal pin contacts, whereby uniform spark gaps may be formed between said conductor ring and said terminal contacts in tube socket assemblies for cathode-ray tubes and the like.
 16. The method of claim 15 wherein the step of removing a discrete cOntrolled portion of each of said legs at a point between said conductor ring and the inner end of said legs comprises punching a precise portion of material from each said leg thereby forming a spark gap having a fixed spatial distance between adjacent punched edges of said leg.
 17. The method of claim 15 wherein the step of removing a discrete controlled portion of each of said legs at a point between said conductor ring and the inner end of said legs comprises stamping a precise portion of material from each said leg thereby forming a spark gap having a fixed spatial distance between adjacent stamped edges of said leg.
 18. The method of claim 15 wherein the step of removing a discrete controlled portion of each of said legs at a point between said conductor ring and the inner end of said legs comprises cutting a precise portion of material from each said leg thereby forming a spark gap having a fixed spatial distance between adjacent cut edges of said leg.
 19. The method of claim 15 wherein said conductor ring formed of an electrically conductive metallic material and having a plurality of legs extending radially inwardly therefrom is fixed secured to said mounting plate prior to removing a discrete controlled portion of each of said legs.
 20. The method of claim 15 wherein the step of fixedly locating said conductor ring and said legs with respect to said mounting plate includes fixedly locating said ring and said legs such that each one of said plurality of legs is positioned within a uniform field arc chamber formed as openings in said mounting plate.
 21. The apparatus of claim 1 further including a high-voltage chamber segregated from the remaining portion of said dielectric body portion by means of a barrier wall and having a controlled uniformly spaced spark gap for stabilizing a high-voltage lead during surges of electrical energy.
 22. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said spark gaps are positioned within openings defined by said dielectric body portion such that the arc energy is uniformly stressed in the area of the spark gap.
 23. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said spark gaps are each defined between a cutaway edge portion of said electrical connection means and a cutaway edge portion of said conductor ring thereby forming a fixed space between said cut edge portions.
 24. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said spark gaps are each defined between a punched edge portion of said electrical connection means and a punched edge portion of said conductor ring thereby forming a fixed space between said punched edge portions.
 25. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said spark gaps are each defined between a stamped edge portion of said electrical connection means and a stamped edge portion of said conductor ring thereby forming a fixed space between said stamped edge portions.
 26. The apparatus of claim 1 further including a cover plate having a depending peripheral flange extending about the periphery of said cover plate and a central opening disposed therethrough for protectively covering said spark gaps formed between said conductor ring and said electrical connection means.
 27. The apparatus of claim 26 further including a baseplate for coupling to said cover plate forming an enclosed tube socket assembly confining said spark gaps therewithin.
 28. The apparatus of claim 27 wherein said cover plate includes latch means for securing the cover plate to said baseplate.
 29. The apparatus of claim 26 wherein said cover plate includes a vent hole defined therein to vent gases formed at one of said spark gaps during arcing thereacross.
 30. The apparatus of claim 21 further including a cover plate having a depending peripheral flange extending about the periphery of said cover plate and a central opening disposed therethrough for protectively covering said spark gaps formed between said conductor ring and said electrical connection means, said cover plate having a vent hole defined therein and positionable adjacent said high-voltagE chamber to vent gases formed within said chamber during any arcing phenomenon occurring therein. 